Window construction



May 28, 1957 M. MARTIN wmnow CONSTRUCTION 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 25, 1952 lvla IN V EN TOR MA/ILEY MART/IV 4 TTORNEX May 28, 1957 Filed Sept. 25, 1952 M. MARTIN WINDOW CONSTRUCTION a Sheds-Sheet 2 v IN VEN TOR.

Mane) M 7877 .4 TroR/VEX May 28, 1957 M. MARTIN wmnow CONSTRUCTION 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 235, 1952 v. (i2 any.

- JNVENTOR. MA Mus Mann/v, BY 7/ & ATTORNEY United States atent Oi 2,793.,7 23 Patented May 28, 1957 WINDOW CONSTRUCTION Manley Martin, Sturgis, Mich. Application September 23, 1952, Serial No. 311,079

7 Claims. (Cl. 189-=-65) The present invention pertains to a novel window construction designed for vehicles such as trailer coaches, although not necessarily limited thereto.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a window of so-called picture window size and yet capable of being easily swung open. Another object is to provide a simple mechanism for opening the window Without obstructing the view by numerous and unsightly parts. Still another object is to provide such a window that can be removed for safe exit in an emergency.

In the accomplishment of these objects, the window is hingedly mounted and is opened and adjusted by a metal tape or similar member sliding in a guide. The guide is attached to the fixed Window frame and is shaped so that the tape has a frictional sliding engagement therewith. One end of the tape is secured to the sash frame, and the tape is moved along the guide by means of a handle. Although the tape is flexible, it possesses sufficient rigidity, through its bent cross section, to maintain the window in open position. The sash is mounted on a self-releasing hinge that comes apart when the sash is swung beyond its normal open position. By this means the sash is quickly removed from the window opening for the purpose of escape as well as for replacement of broken glass or damaged parts.

A further object of the invention is to provide effective sealing that is concealed from the outside of the structure and eliminates the need of caulking. A still further object is to eliminate the usual drip louver and thereby obtain a greater width of trailer within the legal imits.

The invention also contemplates a neat appearing construction, and several features of the invention are directed to this end, as pointed out hereinafter.

The invention is fully disclosed by way of example in the following description and in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an elevation of the window;

Figures 2 and 3 are sections on the lines 2-2 and 33 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a detail elevation of the screen;

Figure 5 is a section on the line 5--5 of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a detail cross section of the sealing strip; and

Figure 7 is an elevation on the line 7-7 of Figure 6.

Reference to these views will now be made by use of like characters which are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout.

In Figure 3 a wall structure or studding of a trailer coach or other enclosure is designated by the numeral 1 and is formed with an opening 2 for a window. In the case of the coach, the outer surface of the structure 1 may be finished with a sheet '3 of pressed fiber board or similar material, while the interior surface may be finished with several layers of plywood 4.

Along the edges of the opening 2 is set a window frame consisting of four lengths of molding 5 mitered and weld-ed together at the ends as indicated by the numeral 6. This'molding is described in detail below, but for the present it is noted that each section is formed with a flange 'i overlapping the corresponding edge of the opening 2 and secured thereto by screws 8. Each such flange terminates inwardly in a perpendicular lip 9 resting on structure 1. The opposite edge of the molding section bears against the finishing material 3 or 4.

The sash frame consists also of four sections 10 of special shape, each having its edge portions doubled at 1'1 and opposed to each other, with one side extended at 12 to the other side to complete a channel section. The glass 13 is enclosed in a resilient channel number 14 which is fitted tightly in the channels 11, 12. The members 10 are mitered at 15, and three of them are welded together, after which the glass is inserted. The fourth member carries angle rods 16 welded to its ends. These ends are inserted in the free ends of i the threesided structure and secured thereto by screws 17, and are held in the lips 18 described below.

The doubled edge 11 is extended outward in the form of a curled lip 18. Along the side to be hinged, as shown in Figure 5, a hinge knuckle 19 is secured to the window frame through an intermediate piece that will presently be described. The knuckle is received in the lip18, and the sash may be separated from the wind-ow frame merely by swinging the sash until the lip 18 works its way out of the knuckle 19.

At the inner surface of the structure 1, the opening 2 is fitted with a frame 5' similar to the frame 5, having a flange 7' overlapping the edge of the opening and formed with a lip 9 spaced somewhat from the-lip 9 The flange 7 is fastened to thestructure 1 by screws 8. Over the flanges 7 and 7 is laid and secured a bridging strip '28 preferably covering the screws and formed with two heads 29 and 30 adjacentt'o' the screws. The

The hinge knuckle 19 is fastened tothe strip 28.

The hinged sash is swung outwardly by means of a frictionally held metal tape or other member that is flexible but linearly stiff, movable in a housing or guide. For this purpose an angular strip 32 is secured to the strip 28 adjacent to the flange 7' along one side of the window opening and preferably over the screws 8'. The member 32 extends a suitable length along this side of the window opening and a slide 34 thereof supports a tape housing or guide 35 coextensive therewith and having an end 36 bent toward the sash as shown in Figure 2. Opposite edges of the member 35 are channeled inwardly at 37 to receive a tape 38 consisting of a thin sheet of metal or other material as indicated above. The ends of the tape are bent at 39 for frictional engagement with the sides of both channels 37 and has its intermediate portion bowed at 40 for attachment of a handle 4-1. The handle has a lug 42 attached to the exposed bowed portion at 40 by rivets 43. Opposite the bent end of the guide, the sash frame carries a U-shaped tab 44 .(Figure 2) to which the free end of the tape is attached by a pin 45. r

If a screen is fitted in the window opening,'the guide 36, 37 passes through it. Such a screen 46is mounted on a tubular frame 47 which abuts the bead 30. The frame is bent upward at 48 where the guide passes through. The manner of inserting and removing the screen is described below.

The window is swung on its hinge by slidingthe handle 41 along the guide 36. Although the tape 38 has sufficient flexibility to follow the bend in the guide, it also has suflicient rigidity lengthwise to hold the window in open position. Due to the frictional engagement of the tape in the guide as described, it is self-locking to mainthe bead 30 at the bottom of the window opening.

tain the desired open position of the window. The tape may be replaced by a Bowden wire or other member having the required properties, such as fiber glass strip.

The frame members and 5 are bent outward from the adjacent lateral surfaces of the structure. Each such section contains a sealing tube 50 of suitable material which extends at 51 in the space between the side of the opening 2 and the corresponding flange 7 or 7.

The member 10 is originally a double-wall member, and an intermediate portion of the inner wall is bent into engagement with the outer wall to form a recess 52 extending the entire length of the section Between the member 10 and the bead 31 is inserted a sealing member having a solid portion or bead 53 seated in the recess 52'and a tubular portion 54 outside the recess. This portion engages the beads 29 and 31 as well as the adjacent parts of the member 10. The sealing members 50, 53, 54 consist of a resilient material which readily passes around the corners of the respective frames and conforms to the distorted sectional shapes at these corners.

The ends of the sealing member are joined on the lower side of the sash frame. In the operation of joining the ends, a mold is employed to reduce the outer contour of the tube 54, as indicated by the numeral 55 in Figure 7, for a purpose that will presently be described.

The member 10 does not engage the adjacent portion of the strip 28 at the bottom side but rather leaves a small clearance 56. The air trapped in the clearance becomes a cushion that dampens the passage of air to and around the seal 53, 54 and also obstructs the flow of rain water. Also, condensate forming on the inner surface of the glass 13 flows through the clearances 55 and 56 to the outside of the'window.

The screen is inserted from the inside by being dropped behind the supporting member 35 to the outer side of It is then pushed into seating position by being forced or snapped over the remainder of the bead 30. It is removed in the. reverse manner.

The installation has a high degree of safety permitting escape through the window opening in case of accident and obstruction of the usual door. In such an event, if the screen has been installed, it is removed in the manner described. The sash is then removed by being swung untilthe hinge 18, 19 separates.

The outer window frame lends itself to being bent to the shape of a convex or contoured end wall of a trailer. Since. the inner surface of such a wall remains flat, no

change inthe inner'window frame is necessary.

In larger sizes the installation has the appearance of a picture window and .yet is capable of being opened in the mannerdescribed. The described means for opening the window is'not conspicuous and does away with the usual unsightly levers, rods and clamps for holding the window open.

'The seal 53, 54 is on the inner side of the sash frame and is thus concealed from the outside both for the sake of appearance and also to protect the seal from exposure to sunlight and weather. The seal is also concealed from the inside by the head 31.

The screen is easily removable, as described, for cleaning the inner surface of the window. It may be replaced by a similar storm sash if desired.

The window opening mechanism does away with various mechanical parts as already stated and also eliminates a center sector arm that would obstruct vision through the window. There is no interference with curtains, shades, drapes and Venetian blinds as would be the case with conventional window opening devices.

No unsightly screws are visible, since the screws that are used are concealed by the bridging strip 28. Further,

no labor is consumed in lining up the screws and nuts of the inner and outer frames as in some windows. A n'nmmum number of screws is needed to install the window.

No drip louver is required over the window inasmuch as the window sash lies inward of the outer surface of the structure 1. Rain striking the glass merely flows down the lower member 10 and over the lower member 5. Labor and material for the installation of a louver are saved. Because of the elimination of the louver a wider coach is possible within legal limits.

The easy removal of the sash in the manner described enables easy replacement of broken glass or other damaged parts. No parts of the window frame 5 need to be removed in such an operation.

The sides of the window openings are completely covered by metal parts as described and are thus protected from condensate and weather. The ends of the plywood and other structural parts disposed at the openings are not exposed to moisture. There is no unsightly gap between the inner and outer frames to collect dust, dirt and moisture which cannot be cleaned or wiped away.

The window and sash frames may have a plastic coating to impart and maintain a neat appearance and cut down the transfer of heat from one side of the window to the other. No caulking is required on the outside of the window opening, since the rubber seal 50 seals and insulates the window opening.

Although the hinge is shown and described as being on a vertical axis, it may if desired be disposed on a horizontal axis at either the top or bottom of the window. In a vertical position, it may be located at either edge as desired. A series of smaller windows may be mounted in juxtaposition to form a louver opening. In a construction where two adjacent sashes close against a common center strip, such a strip may be constructed merely by assembling two strips 28 back to back.

What I- claim is:

1. In a wall structure having a window opening, a window frame secured to the wall of said opening, a sash frame in said window frame and comprising a doublewalled member, the inner wall of said member being bent into engagement with the outer wall to form a recess, a solid sealing strip fitted in said recess, a hollow sealing member integral with said strip and disposed outside said recess, and a bead along the wall of said opening and engaged by said hollow member.

2. In a wall structure as set forth in claim 1, the bottom of the sash frame being spaced slightly from the window frame on the outer side to form an air pocket leading to said hollow member.

3. In a wall structure as set forth in claim 1, the bottom ofthe sash frame being spaced slightly from the window frame on the outer side to form an air pocket leading to said hollow member, said hollow sealing member being reduced in outside contour at said clearance at the bottom of said frame to form a drain path for condensate.

4. In a wall structure having a window opening, a window frame secured to the wall of said opening, a sash frame in said window frame and comprising a double- Walled member, the inner wall of said member being bent into engagement with the outer wall to form a recess, a solid sealing strip fitted in said recess, a hollow sealing member integral with said strip and disposed outside said recess, a metal strip lining said opening, and a pair of beads formed on said lining strip and engaged by said hollow member.

5. In a wall structure as set forth in claim 4, one of said beads being taller than the other, the taller bead standing substantially midway between the lateral surfaces of said structure.

6. A closure for a wall opening, said closure comprising a window frame adapted for mounting within said wall opening and a sash frame movably mounted in said window frame, said window frame comprising a pair of rim members, each of said rim members having flat portions adapted to engage the sides of said wall opening and transverse portions adapted to overlie and engage the sides of the wall adjacent the opening therein, a section of each overlying transverse portion spaced from the peripheral edge thereof being spaced from the adjacent side of said wall to provide a closed chamber, and a resilient sealing member positioned in said closed chamher.

7. A closure for a wall opening, said closure comprising a window frame adapted for mounting within said wall opening and a sash frame movably mounted in said window frame, a plate member supported on said Window frame, said plate member having a bead portion extending outwardly across a portion of the opening in said Window frame, said sash frame having a channel portion adapted to support a sheet of a closure material, each of said channel portions being spaced inwardly from the adjacent bead portion, an integral peripheral extension on said sash frame adjacent said channel portion and overlying said bead portion in spaced relation thereto, a section of said peripheral extension spaced inwardly from the terminal edge of said extension being arcuate and having a concave face opposed to the bead portion adjacent thereto, and a resilient sealing member positioncd between said sash frame peripheral extension and said bead portion, said sealing member having a relatively rigid portion engaged with the concave face of said arcuate section of said peripheral extension and a relatively flexible portion integral therewith and adapted to engage said head portion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 88,502 Morris Mar. 30, 1869 718,975 Browne Jan. 27, 1903 902,979 Lunken Nov. 3, 1908 1,679,612 Lane Aug. 7, 1928 2,007,435 Rumney et al. July 9, 1935 2,010,609 Shogren Aug. 6, 1935 2,104,498 Slatinsky Jan. 4, 1938 2,167,656 Kammerer Aug. 1, 1939 2,236,315 Gray Mar. 25, 1941 2,611,156 Toth Sept. 23, 1952 

